By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Changes to the General Education Development (GED) program are likely to have officials at the Houlton Higher Education Center busy in the coming months.
“Those who have started their GED process, but not finished, should plan to come in and complete it before the changes take effect,” said Otis Smith, director of the SAD 29/70 Adult Education program.
Any individual who has not completed their GED tests by Dec. 1 will have to begin the entire process over again as the state is changing its requirements.
“After December, there is a new version coming out called GED 2014,” Smith explained. “Every 10 or 12 years, they change the program because the norms for high school seniors change so much. It’s based on workplace requirements and culture. The GED 2014 program will be more in line with the Common Core standards.”
Among the many benefits of the GED testing program, is that passing the test provides an opportunity for adults to continue their education. According to the website, www.maineGEDnow.org, 95 percent of U.S. colleges and universities accept GED graduates who meet their other qualifications for admission.
A GED credential documents that an individual has high school-level academic skills. About 96 percent of U.S. employers accept the GED credential as equal to a traditional high school diploma, according to recent studies.
In order to pass the GED test, a person must be able to read, compute, interpret information, and express oneself in writing on a level comparable to that of 60 percent of graduating high school seniors, according to the website.
Obtaining a GED typically takes between two to three months, Smith said. The Houlton Higher Education Center averages about 20 students per semester. Classes are held in the fall, winter and spring.
“If you have started the GED process, it really would be wise to try to complete it before the changes,” he added.
Sept. 6 is the final day to sign up for the fall schedule in Houlton. For more information, contact Smith at 521-3100 or e-mail otsmith@rsu29.org.
